Metropolitan.

gone through with such an amount of solemn impressiveiies . 5 as to fully bring out all its pristine beauties , and make each candidate feel the importance of his new undertaking . The AV . M ., by the natural urbanity of his manners , his courtesy , and his great tact and judgment , was enabled during the whole of the ceremonies to maintain perfect silence and attention , which of itself naturally contributes to improve each degree , and is , of necessity , favourable to the impressions

likely to be made on any candidate . The AV . M ., during the whole of the evening , only left the chair for a few minutes , when Bro . H . A . Collington presided . All the business being finished , the lodge was closed . The brethren then sat down to an excellent banquet , prepared by Bro . Stevens . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and received with appropriate honours . The P . M . of the lodge , Dr . Dixon , proposed the health of the AV . M . Bro . Scottdwelling at some length

, , on the prosperity of the lodge under his management , likewise the superior efficiency of his work , and wishing him , on behalf of the lodge , long life and prosperity . The AV . M ., in a suitable and feeling speech , returned thanks . After a few hours enjoyment the brethren separated highly pleased with their evening ' s entertainment . Alsitors , J . Cavell , AV . M . 172 , J . A . Green , S . AV . 172 , AV . Simmons , P . M . 805 , & c . PBTOENT BEETIIEEJT LODGE ( No . 169 ) . —The first meeting

of the season of this excellent working lodge was held at the Freemasons' Tavern , on Tuesday last , October 28 th , under the presidency of Bro . Graygoose , AV . M ., when Bro . Sharpe was raised to the third degree , and Messrs . Crabb and AVeldon duly initiated into the Order . The brethren afterwards adjourned to an excellent banquet , and spent a very happy evening . FITZEOT LODGE ( NO . 830 ) . —The first meeting for the season of this lodge took place on Friday eveningOctober 24 that the

, , head-quarters of the Hon . Artillery Company , City-road . Bro . J . V . May , AV . M ., presided , supported by Bro . Helsham , S . AV . ; AA ilson , J . AA . ; Swan , S . D . ; and AVreford , J . D ., together with Bros . Peter Matthews , Treas ., and J . Eglese , Sec . The lodge having been opened , the business of tbe evening consisted of a ballot for Mr . Thomas Meggy and Mr . John George Hutchinson , who were candidates , and it being iu their favour , they were severally introduced and initiated into the mysteries of

ancient 1 roemasonry , the AA . M . performing the ceremony in a manner that gave very great satisfaction . A ballot was also taken for Bro . James Crispe , of No . 219 , as a joining member , which was also favourably received . There being no other business , the lodge was closed , and the brethren retired for refreshment , which was served by Bro . Condy , the sutler , in the usual bountiful style . After the cloth had been drawn , the AVM the usual formal toastswhich dulhonoured

.. gave , were y . — Bro . EGLESE , P . M . and Sec , said as the AV . M . had ' entrusted him with his gavel , the brethren would readily anticipate the toast which he was about to bring under their notice ; and although it might be considered as one of the set toasts , yet it was a most necessary toast of the evening ; and in the absence of Bro . Figg , immediate P . M ., he had much pleasure in bringing it under their notice . Their WM . had most admirably performed

the ceremonies that evening , and their brother initiates would find as they proceeded that there was more in Masonry than mere animal gratification . He trusted the ceremony they had gone through that evening hadmade alastinghnpression on their minds ; and when they passed through the higher degrees , that those impressions would bo strengthened and confirmed . Their AV . M . had most ably and regularly performed his duties , both in and out of the lodgeas every AV . M . ought to doand thereforewithout

, , , further eulogium , he would call upon them to drink his health . The toast was most cordially received . —The AA . M . said , in reply , that Bro . Eglese , in accordance with usual custom , had proposed his health , and , in doing so , had gone far beyond his merits by saying many things which he felt he did not deserve . As regarded the interests of the lodge , he regretted that there was not some one iu the chair more capable of conducting it , "

but he managed as well as lie could , after a fashion , and if the brethren would take the will for the deed , he was most happy in the position , which he had now the honour to hold . He trusted to the indulgence of the brethren , and the assistance of the P . M . ' s , who were always willing to ' fill any office , however subordinate , so that the interests of the lodge might not suffer , and enable the AA . M . to get on with his duties . Many things

had been said in his praisi which be was not worthy of , but he trusted on some future occasion , by industry , to show that he really merited them . —The W . M . said that Bro . EGLESE , in his address , had told them that he was about to propose the toast

of the evening ; hut , without contradicting , he begged to differ with him , for he ( the AA . M . ) was now about to propose the toast of the evening . They had then amongst them two newly initiated brethren , and they were always glad to receive new members , and more than usually pleased to see them on the present- occasion . They had that night with them Bros . Meggy and Hutchinson ; and , from tbe marked attention which they had paid during the ceremony , he

believed that in the end they would become worthy and good Masons , and on some future occasion they would be able to number them amongst the most distinguished members of the Craft . —Bro . MEGGY acknowledged the compliment on behalf of himself and brother initiate , and said , from what they had seen that night , they believed there was a great deal in Masonry , and hoped on a further acquaintance with it to express their feelings in better terms than they did that

evening . —The W . M . said he had now come to a toast with which the interests of the lodge were considerably mixed up , and one which it was incumbent on the brethren to receive with good will . The toast he had to propose was that of " The health of the Past Masters , " to whom they were greatly indebted for their able assislance . They could , in fact , do nothing without them , and he regretted from the unavoidable absence of other brethren their number was reduced to two—Bros . Eglese and

Matthews . AAlthout an efficient Secretary the interests of the lodge must suffer , and unless they had a good Secretary to see that the business was attended to , and the letters sent out regularly , the lodge must go backward . . Now , Bro . Eglese was a most indefatigable Secretary , and however early the lodge might be called he was always at his jiost . He was one of the founders of the lodgo , and at the same time he was one of its most able supporters . As to Bro . Peter Matthewshe always

, guarded the interests of the lodge by looking after the cash , and was one of those brethren who were indispensable in every lodge . In conclusion , he proposed " The health of the P . M . ' s of the lodge —¦ Bros . Figg , Newton , Eglese , and Peter Matthews . " The toast was duly honoured . —Bro EGLESE said he was somewhat sorry that Bro . Figg was not present so that he might have responded to the toast . The AV . M . had said a good deal of the services of himself and the other Past Masters , and

he could say that they all endeavoured to do their best , for when they took office they felt that they ought to discharge the duties of it at all times . His Bro . Matthews's desire was to please every member , and to serve [ the lodge on all occasionsj ; and , for the future , they would do all that lay in their power to promote its interests . Having alluded with regret to the absence of some of the other P . M . ' s , as he should like to see a larger number present , he thanked the brethren for the honour

conferred on him . —Bro . P . MATMIETVS said—at that the first meeting of the lodge it was a source of pleasure and gratification to see so many happy faces around him . He had said it was a source of gratification to him , he might almost have said it \ va 3 one of fascination —( laughter)—and when he looked at the lower end of the table he really congratulated them on the happiness of the present occasion . As Treasurer it was his duty to take care of their moneyand in every way in his

, power to add to their pleasures and suit their appetites . He must say that he was never absent when the lodge was called and , although it was a great satisfaction to receive the thanks of the brethren , yet , having once put their hand to the plough , they ought never to look back , but always to look forward to the interests of the lodge and its prosperity . —The AV . M . next gave " The Health of their Brother Visitors , " and said that the Fitzroy Lodge always rejoiced in seeing amongst them brethren

belonging to other lodges , and , having mentioned them by name , saict he trusted that the present would not be the last time they would visit them . —Bro . SriCEB , of No . 25 , and other brethren returned thanks for the visitors . —The next toast was that of " The Officers of the Lodge , " which Bros . AA elsham . C . AAllson , Swan , AVreford , and Miller severally acknowledged . The Tyler ' s toast having been given , the proceedings were

brought to a close at half-past ten o ' clock , the brethren having spent the evening in the true spirit of masonry and good will . FntST TOVEB HAMLETS EJTGIKEEES' LODGE ( No . 1204 ) . — This prosperous young lodge held its ninth meeting at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , on Monday last , when Bro . Lieut . AVigginton , the AV . M .. raised Bros . A . It . Croucher ( M . D . ) , and J . Hearle to the sublime degree of M . M . The ballot having been taken , Mr . C . S . Raster and Mr . John Rowley ( the latter of New Zealand ) were introduced , and regularly received into Freemasonry . The AA . M . read an invitation to this lodge to